Towards an Integrated Oceans Management Policy for Fiji Policy and Law Scoping Paper

Transcription

1 Towards an Integrated Oceans Management Policy for Fiji Policy and Law Scoping Paper BeomJin (BJ) Kim, International Program Manager EDO NSW 25 January 2018 fela.org.fj P: Ma afu Street Suva Fiji

2 What is an Integrated Oceans Management (IOM) policy? An IOM policy is a national strategic policy document that provides for a planned system-wide approach to ocean management (Tsamenyi, 2000) Applies across all levels of government: central, provincial, local and village levels Image from PNCIMA

3 What is an Integrated Oceans Management (IOM) policy? Scope: oceans, coastal resources and catchment areas. Recognise the importance of oceans through protective measures whilst also balancing and regulating other human uses of the ocean Image from SPC

4 Key concepts Sustainable use Ecosystem based management (EBM) The precautionary approach Marine spatial planning (MSP) Integrated coastal management Marine protected areas (MPAs) Adaptive management Multiple use management Community-based resource management Protecting customary use of resources Image by Caitlin Wolfard (

5 Origins and adoption of IOM policy internationally International Law UN Convention on the Law of the Sea 1982 Article 192 Convention on Biological Diversity 1992 (CBD) Article 1 Jakarta Mandate on Marine and Coastal Biological Diversity UN Framework on Climate Change 1992 (UNFCCC) Agenda United Nations Conference on the Environment and Development in Rio (UNCED) Plan of Implementation of the 2002 World Summit on Sustainable Development 2012 UN Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20) - The Future We Want UN Fish Stocks Agreements FAO Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries UN Sustainable Goal 14 Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development. International Practice Examples of national and regional ocean policies

6 Fijian legislation relating to oceans resources Jurisdictional boundaries Marine Spaces Act 1978 jurisdictional boundaries Continental Shelf Act 1970 Authority and power to make laws for the State Constitution s 46 itaukei Land Trust Act itaukei Affairs Act Legislation Environment Management Act 2005 (EMA) Legislation relating to IOM policy including coastal areas Legislation relating to ocean area including EEZ Image from:

7 Fijian policies relating to oceans management Green Growth Framework for Fiji Restoring the Balance in Development that is Sustainable for Our Future Eight Guiding Principles Ten Thematic Areas Integrated Coastal Management Framework of the Republic of Fiji, 2011 Six recommendations for future action Implementation Framework for the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan 2007 Seven thematic areas

8 Major issues and gaps related to an integrated approach Gaps in policy-making for marine areas Lack of focus on environmental protection within the marine environment Ongoing fragmentation in law and policy Lack of detail on approaches to achieve integration Lack of elaboration regarding the ecosystem-based approach Less than systematic approach in identifying goals, priorities and actions Failure to identify patterns in use of coastal resources that extend to marine areas more broadly Coordination of institutional responsibility Institutional arrangements Lack of zoning in coastal zones seaward from the high water mark Marine Protected Areas

9 Benefits of a Fiji IOM policy Leadership, networking and focusing on the wider marine environment A democratic approach to improving oceans governance A principled approach to improving oceans governance A system-oriented approach Practical benefits Image by Caitlin Wolfard (

10 Risks and costs of IOM policy-making in Fiji RISKS Inability to complete an effective IOM policy or failure to implement IOM policy IOM Policy remains just another policy document Consultation is not sufficiently inclusive The IOM policy-making process is not completed The goals of IOM policy-making are not understood by stakeholders Attention is distracted away from implementing current programs Consensus between stakeholders is not achieved Difficulties arise in completing written content New zoning approaches are seen as unrealistic Lack of funding for government commitments Lack of agreement between levels of government COSTS Costs of policy preparation Costs of policy implementation

11 IOM policy case studies Australia Canada United Kingdom Issues/ Drivers Expanding use of ocean resources fisheries, oil and gas Conflict between users Wealth generation marine industries aquaculture, tourism Managing impact of expanding industries aquaculture, oil and gas Decline of wild fish stocks Protecting the seas as tourist attraction Loss of marine biodiversity Need for responsible and sustainable fisheries Protecting environment from oil and gas industry Security for marine based industries and access to resources Boom and Bust cycles that have depleted valuable resources Pollution from land based sources Ecological sustainability marine species protection Lessons learned Policy formulation process Policy content Implementation

12 Possible ways forward to achieve greater integration Recommendations Continued development of the National Ocean s Policy Framework Preparation of IOM policy Implementation of Integrated Coastal Management Policy and other relevant policies Potential next steps Development of a discussion paper Formation of ministerial advisory group Appropriate consultation with all relevant stakeholders Image by Paul D Ambra (